Tuesday, 3 April 2007

It is reported that NHS patients are being put at risk by cancer care delays.

"More than half of all cancer patients are having to wait longer than the Government says is acceptable for life-saving radiotherapy treatment, it was disclosed last night.

There is also a huge disparity in the provision of radiotherapy services across the country, with "black holes" where treatment is very poor, a report by an NHS advisory group is said to show.

The study, by the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group, is being looked at by ministers, but it has not yet been published. It has reportedly found that half of all cancer patients are waiting longer than the Government's "maximum acceptable delay" of four weeks for the treatment."